Meditation vs Bhavana

·36 min·3 clips

Ajahn Sumedho explains why he prefers the Pali word 'Bhavana' over 'meditation' for the Eightfold Path.

The episode begins with a question about Ajahn Sumedho's preference for the word 'Bhavana' over 'meditation', which he clarifies refers specifically to the practice of the Eightfold Path. He distinguishes between Samatha meditation, which involves concentrating on an object like the breath or a candle flame to achieve tranquility, and Vipassana meditation, which involves looking inwardly at thinking habits and emotions to gain insight into the nature of things. Ajahn Sumedho explains that suffering arises from identifying with impermanent sensory experiences and seeking happiness through external objects. He discusses how Vipassana practice involves trusting in conscious awareness rather than personal views or conditioning. The conversation expands to include reflections on concepts like God and unconditional love, which Ajahn Sumedho suggests should be investigated through direct awareness rather than imagination. He notes that even enlightened masters experience aging and death, emphasizing the impermanence of conditioned existence. Ajahn Sumedho also addresses generational and cultural differences, using examples from Thailand and modern identity politics to illustrate how conditioning shapes perspectives. He describes silence not as the absence of noise but as the fundamental reality underlying all experiences, which can be recognized through mindfulness. The episode concludes with a summary of how abiding in awareness leads to a shift away from worldly identities and conflicts toward a direct knowing of reality.

As heard by us

A vocabulary distinction opens into a patient inquiry about happiness and changing conditions.

The episode starts with a vocabulary distinction, then lets it widen into a discussion of Buddhist practice. Bawana is presented as the development of the Eightfold Path, while meditation is treated as the broader language of mental training, including Samatha, concentration…

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You want to sit with what meditation is for when happiness keeps changing?

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